Girls golf: Scouting Lake County

ANTIOCH

Coach: Bill Hamill

Last season: 10th in NSC meet, 10th in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Hannah Cook (Jr.), Savannah Hallett (Jr.), Rachel Price (Jr.), Abigail Tyrell (Jr.), Madeline McKevett (Jr.)

Newcomers: Samantha Brown (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Sequoits enter their third season with a group that continues to gain experience. Juniors Hannah Cook, Savannah Hallett, Rachel Price and Abigail Tyrell all have played since their freshman year.

CARMEL

Coach: Jill Franz

Last season: 11-1, 4-0 in ESCC (1st place), 1st in ESCC meet, 2nd in Class AA Carmel regional, tie for 7th in Warren sectional

Returning golfers: Alexa Amato (Sr.), Kayla Ryan (Sr.), Eva Savovich (Sr.), Erin Kehoe (Jr.), Danielle Savovich (Jr.), Natalie Linquist (Jr.)

Newcomers: Charlotte Roberts (So.)

Season outlook: The Corsairs seek their third East Suburban Catholic Conference championship in a row, and they could make it happen since they didn't graduate anyone. Alexa Amato, Kayla Ryan, Erin Kehoe and Eva Savovich each earned all-conference honors last fall. Amato and Ryan are playing their fourth season on varsity. The six girls who played for the sectional-qualifying team - Amato, Ryan, Kehoe, Savovich, Natalie Linquist and Danielle Savovich - are all back. "We are returning a talented group of golfers with a great deal of depth this season," coach Jill Franz said. "We are solid all the way through the lineup." Sophomore newcomer Charlotte Roberts will fill in for the injured Linquist. Only a state berth has eluded the Corsairs the last couple of years. "This experienced group of golfers is hungry to make its first appearance downstate as a team," Franz said, "and certainly has the talent and depth, too."

GRANT

Coach: A.J. Havenga

Last season: 3-10, 8th in NSC meet, 8th in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Brianna Burgeson (Sr.), Kylie Diana (So.), Maddy Lantz (So.), Lexie Glunz (So.)

Newcomers: KiLynn Gold (So.), Sami Miller (So.)

Season outlook: The Bulldogs return most of their roster from last season and also have a pair of additions. Senior Brianna Burgeson was a member of Grant's inaugural team three years ago and qualified for the sectional last fall. Said coach A.J. Havenga of his 2015 girls: "They hope to be the most competitive they have been in the brief history of Grant golf with the experience of the returning players and the excitement of the newcomers."

GRAYSLAKE CO-OP

Coach: Scott Ewen

Last season: 8-2, 2nd in FVC, 3rd in Class AA Carmel regional, 12th in Warren sectional

Returning golfers: Kara Ahlemeyer (Sr.)

Season outlook: The co-op team took a major hit in the off-season due to graduation and other golfers moving. Grayslake shined in its first season as a co-op last year, qualifying for the sectional. Back is senior Kara Ahlemeyer, who is a two-time sectional qualifier. "In our first season as a program we had tremendous success," coach Scott Ewen said. "However, with the loss of three seniors and another three underclassmen - due to family moves - we are starting fresh. Other than Kara, we have a lot of new faces and many of them are new to golf. This year our goal will be to improve every week and be competitive in duals. Even with all our new faces, I still believe we have a great chance to win some of our head-to-head competitions. As far as individuals go, I fully expect Kara Ahlemeyer to be competing deep into the postseason."

LAKES

Coach: Rebecca Schilz

Last season: 9th in NSC meet, 9th in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Jhordin Andell (Sr.), Taylor Chisolm (Sr.)

Newcomers: Camryn Jones (Fr.), Isabella Poli (Fr.), Hannah Castelvecchi (Fr.), Megan Klein (Fr.), Anna Metzger (Fr.), Stephanie Bizosky (Fr.), Stephanie Schaeffer (Jr.), Shannon Cole (Jr.), Chloe Lukasik (Jr.)

Season outlook: All high numbers are not welcome in golf. At Lakes this season, however, they like these high numbers. "This year is an exciting time for Lakes Community High School golf," coach Rebecca Schilz said. "We have the highest number of freshmen this year playing for our girls golf team that we have ever had in our history with the program. I am thrilled to have so many young players excited to be a part of girls golf at Lakes. We have quite a few girls who come with experience, and everyone of them is supportive of each other's role on our team. I look forward to this season and being a competitive team within our North Suburban Conference."

LAKE ZURICH

Coach: Mel Fox

Last season: 4-9, 7th in NSC meet, 8th in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Elizabeth Viken (Sr.), Melissa Goldberg (Sr.), Ally Tucker (Jr.), Kaitlin Vages (Jr.), Kelsey Kee (So.), Alex Leitl (So.), Kathleen Murphy (So.)

Newcomers: Abby Pang (So.), Grace Loverde (Fr.), Taylor Schwab (Fr.)

Season outlook: The Bears graduated sectional-qualifier Aine Mattera, while junior Page Wallace, who was expected to take over as the team's No. 1, enrolled at Baylor School in Tennessee. Senior Elizabeth Viken, junior Ally Tucker and junior Kaitlin Vages are all veteran players: "We are working toward a winning season," coach Mel Fox said. "We will be spending a lot of time on our short games. We are setting individual goals for the season and will be keeping track of our short-game statistics. The girls are focused on shooting their personal best whenever they play."

LIBERTYVILLE

Coach: Greg Pedersen

Last season: 13-0, 1st in NSC meet, 1st in Class AA Carmel regional, 4th in Warren sectional

Returning golfers: Simone Mikaelian (Jr.), Megan Sturonas (Jr.), Maggie Piazzi (Sr.), Katherine Stegman (Sr.)

Newcomers: Natalie Quist (Sr.), Madeleine Hollinger (Jr.), Colby Roberts (So.)

Season outlook: The Wildcats enjoyed a special 2014 season, winning county, conference and regional championships, before coming within one spot (4th place) of qualifying for state. Simone Mikaelian qualified for state for the second year in a row, and Jessica Lovinger advanced as well. Lovinger graduated, but Mikaelian returns for her junior year. She shot a 75 Thursday in Libertyville's invite at Pine Meadow. Fellow junior Megan Sturonas opened the season by shooting a career-best 74 in the Barrington invite at Bonnie Dundee, and the Wildcats' 318 was their best score in school history. "While we lose three contributors, a competitive core returns to try to match or surpass those accomplishments," coach Greg Pedersen said. "Simone and Megan make a formidable 1-2 punch against any team in the state, and Maggie (Piazzi) provides much needed consistency. At that point, how far we can go depends on the newcomers and whether we can find a strong fourth score. In particular, Natalie (Quist) shows tremendous improvement and skills, especially given that she's only played golf for less than two years. She is probably the longest hitter we've had in team history. With focus and determination, we should be able to compete for the conference title, and then if we're playing our best in October, see if we can't improve on our fourth-place finish at last year's IHSA sectional tournament."

MUNDELEIN

Coach: Barb Hartwig

Last season: 7-5, 6-3 in NSC, 5th in NSC meet, 5th in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Darin Chaichitatorn (Sr.), Jennifer Dimitriou (So.), Grace Gotlund (Sr.), Isabella Loverde (Jr.), Megan Wiese (Sr)

Newcomer: Josie Ollendick (Fr.)

Season outlook: A year after winning a regional championship for the first time in their history, the Mustangs advanced a pair of individuals to sectionals last season. Holly Petlak graduated but Jennifer Dimitriou returns for her sophomore year. The Mustangs opened their season by shooting 193 to beat McHenry at Countryside, as they counted the scores of Dimitriou (46), junior Isabella Loverde (48), senior Darin Chaichitatorn (49) and senior Grace Gotlund (50). "This year's team is extremely motivated and we worked very hard during the off-season," coach Barb Hartwig said. "We are a much-improved team from last year and confident that we will be very competitive in the conference. Our goal is to qualify for the sectional tournament."

STEVENSON

Coach: Emma Degen

Last season: 9-3, 2nd in NSC meet, 4th in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Myra Peterson (Sr.), Alexia Fidman (Sr.), Olivia Stomberg (So.)

Newcomers: Dhruvi Mehta (Jr.), Maddie Schaetzlein (Sr.), Tanya Chanprung (Fr.), Gina Shanley (So.)

Season outlook: First-year coach Emma Degen, who coaches the girls track team in the spring, inherits a two-time sectional qualifier in Alexia Fidman. Fellow 2014 sectional-qualifier Stephanie Namkoong graduated. "With a strong group of returners and some impressive newcomers, we are hoping to compete for a conference title," Degen said, "and send some representation down to the state meet come October."

VERNON HILLS

Coach: Jim Seward

Last season: 7-5, 6-3 in NSC, 4th in NSC meet, 6th in Class AA Lake Forest regional

Returning golfers: Faith Jung (Jr.)

Newcomers: Becky Bahlmann (Jr.), Ally Ripes (Jr.), Sammi Hansen (So.)

Season outlook: The Cougars boasted a state qualifier last fall in Kari Lee, who graduated. Junior Faith Jung is back for her third varsity season, but the Cougars' numbers are low. Jung has qualified for the sectional in each of her first two seasons of high school golf. "We hope to be competitive during our dual-match season and have a top-three place at the conference tournament." coach Jim Seward said. "Faith Jung will have a good chance to qualify for the state tournament."

WARREN

Coach: Leigh Ann Mondrawickas-Boncher

Last season: 5-6, 6th in NSC meet, 7th in Class AA Carmel regional

Returning golfers: Izzy Cordova (Sr.), Nicole Urquhart (Jr.), Anna Telling (Jr.), Katrina Steffy (Jr.), Ellie Bousson (So.), Annika Johnson (So.)

Newcomers: Kelsey Campbell (Jr.), Danielle Guzman (Fr.), Kelsey Machnics (Sr.), Amanda Mietus (Fr.)

Season outlook: Senior Izzy Cordova is a two-time sectional qualifier and returns to lead the Blue Devils. Juniors Nicole Urquhart, Anna Telling and Katrina Steffy have all played on varsity since they were freshmen. "Optimistic," coach Leigh Ann Mondrawickas-Boncher. "With the leadership, skill and work ethic of our upperclassmen and positive energy and skill of our 13 newcomers, the team looks to make a mark in the conference at the varsity and junior varsity level."